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Residents press Cerritos commission to expand hours, lighting and access at new Liberty Park pickleball courts
Summary
A resident urged the Parks and Recreation Commission to open the city’s new dual‑use pickleball courts earlier and extend evening hours, and staff described the courts as a trial conversion with security and operational concerns.
A resident urged the Cerritos Parks and Recreation Commission to open newly converted pickleball courts earlier in the day and extend evening hours, and city staff said the courts are a trial conversion with security and operational limits.
Teddy Lloyd, a resident and longtime pickleball advocate, told the commission during public comment that Liberty Park’s eight new dual‑use pickleball courts open “from 10AM to 8PM” and asked, “please can you make that the courts open not at 10, but make it open at 7 or maybe 06:30?” He also requested that the city adjust lighting and said he would share cost and technical suggestions with staff free of charge.
The request prompted commissioners to discuss whether the commission should ask the City Council to consider earlier opening times and lighting changes. One commissioner called Lloyd “the father of pickleball in Cerritos” and suggested the commission could draft a recommendation for council consideration.
Annie, recreation staff, said the new eight courts at Liberty Park were created by converting two tennis courts to dual use and are being operated on a trial basis. "The courts are currently open from 10AM to 8PM during the park's operating hours," Annie said, adding the dual‑use nets are on casters and staff are concerned about theft and public safety. She said five additional courts at Liberty Park remain unfenced and are available for drop‑in play outside staffed hours.
Staff said the City Council previously gave direction to convert one court at Cerritos Park East to dual use as well, and that staff are collecting community feedback on hours and lighting. Commissioners and staff agreed to follow up with Mr. Lloyd to get technical details about his suggestions and to consider whether to bring a formal recommendation to the City Council.
No formal motion or vote to refer the matter to council was recorded during the meeting.
Why this matters: Liberty Park and Cerritos Park East serve many older adult players and neighborhood residents; changes to hours and lighting affect when courts are available, safety planning and maintenance needs.
What’s next: Staff said they will follow up with Mr. Lloyd about lighting and security ideas and will consider community feedback as the dual‑use courts remain on a trial schedule.
